North Korea Tests Missile Capable of Reaching U.S. Soil

What’s the story? Yesterday, the North Korean regime successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the range and capability of carrying a nuclear missile to U.S. soil. This comes less than a week after President Donald Trump hosted South Korea’s newly-elected president to discuss the threat posed by the U.S. ally’s communist neighbor.

Why does it matter? The ICBM — which North Korea claims is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead — has the range to reach Alaska according to some experts. That marks "a new escalation of the threat" to the U.S. and its allies according to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, with North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un’s regime hailing the test as a Fourth of July “gift for the American bastards.”

Tillerson reiterated that the U.S. and its allies "will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea" and warned other nations against providing aid to the rogue regime:

"Global action is required to stop a global threat. Any country that hosts North Korean guest workers, provides any economic or military benefits, or fails to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions is aiding and abetting a dangerous regime. All nations should publicly demonstrate to North Korea that there are consequences to their pursuit of nuclear weapons.”

In response to the test, U.S. and South Korean forces on the peninsula carried out a missile test of their own, which could be used to target North Korean ground forces if the situation devolves into an actual war.

On the diplomatic side of the response, Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that will be held today. China, which currently serves as the chair of the Security Council (an honor that rotates monthly between members), was called out by President Trump this morning for not using its substantial economic leverage over the regime to bring it in line:

Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter. So much for China working with us - but we had to give it a try!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2017

What can you do? Ask yourself these questions and then let your reps know what you think: Does America need to prevent North Korea from gaining the ability to launch nuclear weapons at the continental U.S.? Should the Security Council increase sanctions on North Korea? Should the U.S. consider punishing China for aiding the rogue regime?

Take Action

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: LionFlyer / Creative Commons)